AEGiS-AP: Man who claims to be HIV positive charged in syringe robberies

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Man who claims to be HIV positive charged in syringe robberies

Associated Press - November 21, 2005
Justin M. Norton, Associated Press Writer

San Francisco - A man who allegedly robbed a Banana Republic store by brandishing a syringe and claiming to be infected with the HIV virus was arrested when he returned to the store three days later, police said.

Jonathan Black, 24, was held at the San Francisco jail on suspicion of three counts of robbery, police Lt. John Loftus said.

"I'm not sure if it was mental illness or if he was down on his luck and desperate and committing these robberies," Loftus said Monday.

Authorities said security guards at the Banana Republic allegedly saw Black stealing three pairs of leather gloves on a store surveillance camera on Nov. 13.

The guards followed Black outside. Loftus said Black then pulled out a syringe, made a poking motion and claimed he was HIV positive. He escaped.

Loftus said Black was listed as a woman in initial police reports of the incident and "presented as a woman."

Black allegedly returned to the same store on Nov. 16. Employees recognized him and he was quickly arrested.

Police alleged that Black was involved in a similar incident at a computer goods store where he allegedly waved a blood-filled syringe while trying to steal a laptop secured with a cable.

Police said Black agreed to be tested for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The syringe allegedly used in the robberies was recovered and will also be tested, Loftus said.

Loftus did not know if charges would be added if the needle turns out to be contaminated.

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On The Net:

San Francisco Police: www.sfgov.org/site/police_index.asp

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